3 Airports In Sardinia: Which Is The Best To Fly To?

There are three airports in Sardinia: Mario Mameli Airport in Cagliari, Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport in Olbia and the Riviera del Corallo International Airport in Alghero. International and domestic flights depart and arrive from these three airports, so it’s good to know where to fly to in order to plan your trip to Sardinia.

I will explain everything in a bit more detail, but here’s a quick summary:

In general, Cagliari Airport is the most suitable if you have planned a vacation in the southern part of the island. This airport is also connected to the city of Cagliari and other locations via a train station, which is located just close to the passenger terminal. This is the main Ryanair Airport in Sardinia

Olbia Airport is obviously recommended for vacations in the northwestern part of Sardinia. Not many budget airlines fly there, though. Alternatively, Alghero Airport is also convenient to fly to, for a vacation in the northwestern or central part of Sardinia. It has a variety of budget flights connecting it to the rest of Italy and Europe.

If you need more information about the various airports in Sardinia, continue reading my guide.

Make sure to also read my post How To Get To Sardinia.

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Table of Contents

Which Of The Airports In Sardinia Should You Fly To?

Cagliari Mario Mameli Airport (CAG)

This is Sardinia’s main airport, from which many domestic and international flights land and take off. Modern and equipped with many services, the airport is located a few kilometers from the center of Cagliari, so it is definitely convenient for a stay in the city, and to visit the surrounding areas.

Given the large number of flights that connect it to Rome and Milan, Cagliari Airport often proves to be the best choice among the airports in Sardinia for those flying from abroad. The airport is well known for regular as well as seasonal flights by low-cost airlines such as Ryanair.

How many terminals does CAG have?

Cagliari Airport has only one terminal, divided in three floors. On the ground floor you can find the arrivals, with stores including grocery store, cafés, info points and ticket machines where you can buy your train ticket to Cagliari.

On the second floor you will find the departures area, with check-in desks, security checks and the access to the gates for boarding. This is where most airlines will also have their ticket offices.

On the second floor of Cagliari’s Airport, you’ll find the administrative offices and the Lost and Found office.

Services at Cagliari Airport

Cagliari Airport has several useful services. Inside the airport you can connect to the Wi-Fi network for free by signing up with your personal information. There is a Lost and Found office, open to the public from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 to 3:00 pm.

There is an airport VIP lounge, where you’ll be able to find food, snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, magazines and newspapers, as well as satellite TV. The lounge is accessible only by passengers of certain airlines or those that have a lounge pass, or by paying a €15 entrance fee. Another service which is ideal for business travelers is the fast track to go through security. You can get a pass for various passages throughout the year, or buy a ticket for €5 at one of the vending machines on the ground floor.

Of course, there is no shortage of restaurants and stores in the airport. You can try some Sardinian specialties and do some shopping while waiting for your flight. For reading lovers, there is also a library inside the terminal, by the check-in counters, where you can borrow books and even leave your own, making them available to other travelers.

The Emergency Room is open every day of the week, 24 hours a day.

How to get from Cagliari Airport to Cagliari

Cagliari Airport is only 7 km (4.3 miles) from the city center and very well connected to it.

CAR – By car, just take the SS130 from the airport to get to Cagliari’s city center in about ten minutes.

TRAIN – Cagliari Elmas train station is located outside the passenger terminal and you can easily reach it on foot. There are regular trains to downtown Cagliari, departing every 6 minutes. The journey only takes 7 minutes and tickets are definitely cheap.

PRIVATE TRANSFER – If you are traveling with family and friends, and have lots of luggage, you can book a private transfer to take you to your accommodation. The best booking site is AirportTransfer. You can check out their rates here.

BUS – Buses also depart from Cagliari airport to the city center, but I recommend taking the train, because it is cheaper and because there are few buses leaving from the airport, so you may have to wait quite some time. Depending on traffic, the trip by bus is also significantly longer than the one by train.

TAXI – For those traveling with a lot of luggage, taxis are always available right outside arrivals. The price for a ride from the airport to the center is €17 during the day and €20 at night.

Make sure to also read my post How To Get From The Airport To Cagliari City Center.

Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB)

Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport is the best choice among the airports in Sardinia if you intend to visit northwestern Sardinia and places such as San Teodoro, Costa Smeralda and La Maddalena Archipelago.

How many terminals does OLB have?

Olbia Airport is smaller in size than Cagliari Airport. It has only one terminal, divided into two floors. The check-in counters and the boarding gates are on the ground floor, while the second floor hosts a small museum, where there are usually events and exhibitions – a good way to pass some time while waiting for your flight.

Services at Olbia Airport

Despite its small size, Olbia Airport has several luxury stores and a bookstore. You can find a Pharmacy and an Info Point for tourists. There are also several cafés and restaurants where you can have a meal before departing.

There is a baggage storage room in the arrivals area, with fees ranging from €10 to €15 per day depending on the type of baggage you need to store.

The Lost and Found office is open daily from 8:00 am until the last flight of the day. Free Wi-Fi is also available – you need can access the Olbia Airport WiFi Hot Spot.

The Club Lounge is available only to passengers of certain airlines, or by purchasing an online access for €33. You can also purchase the Fast Track service for a faster access to the boarding area via security.

How to get from Olbia Airport to Olbia

The airport is only 4 km (2.5 miles) from the center of Olbia, so it only takes a few minutes by car to reach the city.

BUS – Olbia Airport is connected to the city by two city buses: line 2 and line 10. Buses run from morning until evening, every 20 minutes during the day and every 40 minutes after 8:00 pm.

TAXI – You will find taxis in front of the arrivals. The fare for the trip from the airport to Olbia city is about €15.

PRIVATE TRANSFER – Private transfers are an easy and reliable way of getting from Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport to your final destination in case you don’t want to rent a car or prefer not using public transport. The best booking site is AirportTransfer. You can check out their rates here.

Head over to my post How To Get From The Airport To Olbia.

Riviera del Corallo International Airport (AHO)

The smallest of the airports in Sardinia, Alghero Airport was designed specifically to facilitate tourists’ visits to the Riviera del Corallo area, from which the airport takes its name. It is located in a more central location than Olbia Airport, so it is a good airport to fly to in case you want to spend your holidays in central Sardinia or on the northwestern coast.

Alghero is well serviced both by regular and budget airlines and is another large Ryanair hub.

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How many terminals does AHO have?

Alghero Airport has only one terminal for departures and arrivals. There are 15 check-in desks and 6 boarding gates. Yes, it is really small and it’s impossible to get lost there!

Services at Alghero Airport

Being a small airport, Alghero Airport does not have the same services as Cagliari or Olbia airports. In any case, you will find an Info Point and you can access the airport’s free Wi-Fi network. You can also find a Lost and Found office and a pharmacy, a few souvenir shops as well as cafés and restaurants.

How to get from Alghero Airport to Alghero

The airport is only 11 km (less than 7 miles) from the city of Alghero. Here’s how to get to town:

CAR – It will take you around 15 minutes along State Road SS91 or SP44.

BUS – There are regular buses from the airport to the center of Alghero. The trip takes about 30 minutes.

TAXI – A taxi ride from the airport to the center of Alghero costs about €20. You will find taxis parked outside the arrivals area.

PRIVATE TRANSFER – Private transfers are a great alternative to taxis to travel to the city and its surroundings from Alghero Fertilia Airport, especially if you can share the costs and have lots of luggage. The best booking site is AirportTransfer. You can check out their rates here.

Check out my post How To Get From The Airport To Alghero.

Which Are The Airports In Sardinia?